Diaphragm actuated control valves for an ice maker



Nov. 23, 1965 K. NELSON 3,218,824

DIAPHRAGM ACTUATED CONTROL VALVES FOR AN ICE MAKER Filed April 25, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 44 4i 4i /JZ d ,fa /4 1 INVENTOR. /@WyveZ/z L. /Ve/sw 77,

Nov. 23, 1965 K. NELSON 3,218,824

DIAPHRAGM ACTUATED CONTROL VALVES FOR AN ICE MAKER Filed April 25, 1962 4d 44 4; f4 A i 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 23, 1965 K. L. NELSON 3,218,824

DIAPHRAGM CTUATED CONTROL VALVES FOR AN ICE MAKER Filed April 2s, 1962 s sheets-sheet s i 2722i ji;

United States Patent C) DIAPHRAGM ACTUATED CONTROL VALVES FOR AN ICE MAKER Kenneth L. Nelson, Albert Lea, Minn., assigner to King- Seeley Thermos Co., Ann Arbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Apr. 23, 1962, Ser. No. 189,439 16 Claims. (Cl. 62--348) This invention relates to the manufacture of ice cubes or the like, and more particularly to a water circulating system for association with ice cube manufacturing apparatus.

Conventional ice cube manufacturing apparatus usually includes an ice cube tray means having individual cubeforming cups, pipe means to deliver Water to the cups for freezing therein, refrigerating means to freeze the water in the cups, release means to release the ice cubes formed in the individual cups, and collection means to collect and store the ice cubes. In ice cube vending machines and the like, it is desirable to provide apparatus which is automatic in operation, has a minimum of moving parts subject to wear and deterioration in use, and is reliable over long periods of use Without observation or maintenance. This invention is specifically directed to improvements in the manufacture of ice cubes in automatic vending machines and the like by the provision of a new and improved water circulating system therefor.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved system of supplying water to ice cube making apparatus.

Another object is to provide new and improved valve means Afor controlling water circulation in 'an ice cube making system.

Still another object is to provide a water circulating system for use with ice cube manufacturing -apparatus wherein tap water is supplied for freezing to make ice cubes and heated 4tap Water is supplied for releasing frozen ice cubes from cube forming cup means.

A further object is to provide a water circulating system for ice Vending machinery having a minimum of control elements and wherein multiple ow paths yfor delivery of water to various destinations are obtainable through actuation of a single solenoid operated control valve.

Still a further object is to provide a Water flow control means which is responsive to changes in water pressure -to obtain a plurality of varying flow conditions which result in automatic cycling of Variou-s ice cube manufacturing Aprocesses or steps.

Another object is to provide .a novel operational sequence for the manufacture of ice cubes or the like, and a novel system for obtaining a preferred operational sequence.

Other objects and some of the advantages of the system will be Ihereinafter described by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view, partly diagrammatic and partly in section, of one form of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is another side elevational view, partly diagrammatic and partly in section, of the system shown in FIGURE 1 in another operational condition; and

FIGURE 3 is a Side elevational View, partly diagram- -matic and partly in section, of another form of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURES l and 2, the novel system of the present invention is shown diagrammatically except for novel valve means associated therewith. It is to be understood that the subject system is adapted to be in- 3,218,824 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 ice corporated in an ice cube making device comprising a cabinet -having an ice cube manufacturing portion, a storage bin for storing manufactured 1ce cubes, appropriate motor means for operating the manufacturing apparatus, conventional pump mechanism for delivering water through the water circulating system hereinafter described, conventional refrigerating apparatus including a compressor and condenser coils, and other suitable accessories including water pipe lines and coupling elements.

ln the drawings, the ice cube manufacturing compartment is illustrated generally at 10 and the refrigerant compressor is shown at 12. The ice cube manufacturing compartment is divided into an evaporator section 14, a spray chamber 16, and a sump 18. A plurality of 1nverted ice cube forming cups 20 are provided between the evaporator chamber 14 and the lspray chamber 16, and open downwardly into the spray chamber. A plurality of upwardly facing spray nozzles 22 yare mounted in the spray chamber 16 and are connected in any suitable manner to pipe means 24 through which water is delivered to the spray nozzles from a conventional pump 26 and a connecting line 28. The nozzles may be mounted directly on top of the pipe means 24 or laterally offset and connected by an elbow or the like or movably mounted. A plurality of drain passages 30 may be provided in the bottom wall 32 of the spr-ay chamber to permit excess water collecting therein to drain into the sump 18. The Sump 18 is connected to the pump 26 by a suitable passage 34 so that water may be delivered from sump to the spray nozzles by the pump.

The freezing cycle compri-ses the sprayed application of water from the sump 18 through the spray nozzles 22 to the surf-aces of the cups 20. The cups 20 are maintained at a temperature below the freezing point of the Water by refrigerant passing through the coils 35 in a conventional manner the coils 35 may be located in heat transfer relationship with vthe cups 20 in any suitable vmanner, and are illustratively shown inside the compartment 10 in FIGS. 1 and 3 and outside the compartment 10 in FIG. 2. The application of the water spray to. the cup cavities builds up ice Itherein until the cups are completely filled and ice cubes have been formed. At such time, the pump 26 and refrigerating system are deactivated, and ice cube releasing means are actuated to release the ice cubes from the cups. The release means utilized by the present invention comprises the application of heated water to the outer surfaces of the cups 20 in the evaporator chamber 14. The heated water is `adapted to circulate about the ice cups 20 and release the ice cubes formed therein. The ice cubes fall by gravity into the spray chamber 16 and are removed therefrom in -a conventional manner by Asloping chute means (not shown). Since this invention is directed particularly to the -delivery of water spray for manufacturing the ice cubes and heated water for releasing the formed cubes, the other components of the apparatus will not be shown or described in detail.

A Water inlet pipe 40 from a suitable supply source iS connected to a conventional pressure regulating device 42 through a length of pipe 44. The pressure regulator 42 supplies water -to tank means 46 through aconventional oat valve 48 or the like, which maintains a predetermined quantity of water in the tank. Refrigerant coils 49, shown only partially and diagrammatically, of the compressor 12 may be Wound around the tank 46, or otherwise associated therewith, to provide means to heat the incoming water. Although the use of the refrigerant coils to heat communicates with the evaporator chamber 14 at 60. The line 52 also communicates with the sump 18 through a line 62, a valve means indicated generally at 64, a line 66, and the pump 26. The valve means 64 controls communication between the lines 62, 66 and between the line 66 and a drain line 68 which is connected to a suitable drain.

A line 70 containing water at line pressure incorporates flow control means for controlling ow through the lines previously described. The flow control means comprises a conventional solenoid actuated valve unit 72 through. which the line 70 is connected to a coupling element 74. The valve unit 72 controls ow of Water into a central passage 76 and a pair of cross passages 78, 80 which communicate with suitable control chambers provided in the valve means 54, 64. The other end of the passage 76 is connected through a restrictor member 82 having an orifice 83 therein and a return bleed line 84 to the tank 46. The solenoid valve 72 is operable at predetermined times between open and closed positions. In the open position, water at line pressure from the line 40 is admitted into the element 74 to actuate the valve means 54, 64.` In the closed position, water is prevented from entering the element 74 and the valve means 54, 64 are deactuated.

Each of the valve means 54, 64 are substantially identical in construction and therefore only the valve means 64 is hereinafter described in detail. In those instances where there are variations in construction or operation, the variations will be discussed in detail. The valve means includes a valve actuating portion comprising upper and lower shell portions 90, 92 which are secured together by suitable fastening means 94 to form a diaphragm cavity indicated generally at 96. The shell portions clampingly receive a diaphragm element 98 having an enlarged central section 100. The diaphragm divides the cavity 96 into a control chamber 102 and a ow chamber 104. The lower shell 92 is provided with a coupling boss 106 which is securely fastened to the connecting element 74 in any conventional manner such as by cooperating pipe threads or welding to connect a centrally lcated inlet passage 108 with the transverse passage 78.

A valve housing 110 is secured to the upper shell 90 on a coupling boss 112 oppositely located from the boss 106 and having a suitable opening 114 provided therein. The valve housing 110 comprises a central body portion 116 having concentric central bores 118, 120 of varying diameter which are connected by a conical valve seat portion 122. The diameter of bore 120 is smaller than the diameter of bore 118 and is adapted to slideably receive a plunger valve 130 which comprises a central cylindrical portion 132 having oppositely extending conical headed portions 134, 136 at each end. The conically headed portion 136 is provided with seal means in the form of a deformable washer 142 or the like, which is retained in an annular slot 144 and adapted to seat and form a seal on the conical seat 122. A guide ange 146 is formed on the outermost end of the conical head 136 and is cooperatively spaced closely adjacent the inner periphery of the bore 118. In order to further guide and space the plunger valve in the bore 120, a guide stem 148 is slideably received in a guide stem bore 150 in the plunger valve at one end and is xedly mounted in a cap element 160 at the other end.

The cap element 160 is adapted to be mounted in and close the bore 118. A sealing means 162 is provided to seal the bore 118. A spring element 166 is mounted in the bore 118 between the cap 160 and the upper ange 146 of the valve plunger to exert a valve closing force tending to seat the washer means 142 on the valve seat 122. A wire latch 167 is pivotally mounted on the body 116 at 168 and has an abutment portion adapted to abut the cap 160 at 170 to secure the cap, spring, and valve in assembled position. The valve means 54 is identical to the valve means 64 except as hereinafter described.

The various water pipes are connected to the valve means by nipple type ttings such as shown at 180 for connecting to the line 62. The fitting 180 communicates with the ow chamber 104. Similar ttings (not shown) connect the drain line 68 to bore 118 and 182 and line 66 to bore 120 at 184 in the valve body 116. The valve means 54 differs from valve means 64 in construction in that only 'lines 50 and 52 are connected through the valve. The line 52 corresponds to line 66, `and line 50 corresponds to line 68 as far as location of connection to the valve means is concerned.

The operation of the embodiment of FIGURES l and 2, with the parts in the position shown in FIGURE 1, is hereinafter described. The functions of identical parts of both of the valves 54,64 are described by single reference characters related only to valve 64; and it is to be understood that corresponding parts of valve 54 are also being identied. When the solenoid valve 72 is closed, no water enters the passage 76 or the control chambers 102 to exert pressure on the diaphragms. Consequently, the diaphragms 98 are in a central or neutral position and the valve springs 166 maintain the valve plungers 130 in a fully extended position with the washer means 142 in sealing engagement with the conical seats 122. In this position, the `line 62 is connected to the line 66 through the flow chamber 104 and the bore 120. A quantity of water remains in the evaporator chamber 14 and the sump 18 is empty from previous operations as will be hereinafter described in detail. The Water which had previously been supplied t0 the evaporator chamber 14 drains by gravity through the line 58, the line 62, the ow chamber 104 and bore 120 of valve means 64, and the line 66 to the sump 18. Consequently, a fresh supply of water is provided for each cube making operation. The pump 26 is actuated when the cycle changes and water iills the sump 18 and is forced through the lline 28 and the pipe 24 to the spray nozzles 22. The water is sprayed into the inverted cups 20, which are refrigerated by coils 35, and ice cubes are formed therein. Excess water dripping downwardly from the cups 20 passes through suitable drain openings 30 back into the sump. The passage of water through lines 66, 68 and 50, 52 is prevented by a seal effected by the Washer means on the valve plungers being urged into engagement with the conical valve seats by the associated spring means.

After a suitable time cycle during which the ice cubes have been completely formed, the pump 26 is deactivated and the solenoid valve 72 is actuated to open the line 70 to the central passage 76 as shown in FIGURE 2. Water at line pressure enters the passage 76, and a pressure build-up is created by the restrictor 82. The transverse passages 78, and the diaphragm control chambers 102 are lled with water under pressure to cause displacement of the diaphragms 98 upwardly into engagement with the adjacent conical heads 134 of the valve plungers. The valve plungers are thereby moved outwardly in the respective valve passages to unseat the washer members 142 from the conical seats 122 against the bias of the compression springs 166. When the valve plungers have been opened, the line 66 is connected to the drain line 68 through bores 118, 120 in valve means 64, and the inlet water line 50 is connected to the line 52 through corresponding bores in valve means 54. Excess Water from the sump 18 drains through the line 66, and the bores 118, in the valve means 64 to the drain line 68. Heated Water flows by gravity from the tank 46 through the line 50, the valve means 54, and the lines 52, 58 to the evaporator chamber 14. The water is heated in the tank 46 during the refrigerating cycle by the heat removed from the refrigerant in the coils 50 of the compressor 12. The heated water ows by gravity to the evaporator chamber 14 and surrounds the ice cube forming cups 20. The ice cubes 194 are thereby released and fall downwardly into the spray chamber 16 where they are collected and removed in a conventional manner. The movement of the diaphragms in response to Water pressure in the control chambers 102 serve the dual purpose of actuating the valve plungers and sealing off the line 62 and bore 120 from the flow chamber 104. The diaphragm 98 has the dual function of actuating the valve plunger 130 and sealing the inlet 196 of the nipple connection 180 and the end of bore 120. To this end, the enlarged portion 100 of the diaphragm is adapted to be received on a seat 198 formed in the shell.

After a suitable time interval, the solenoid valve 72 is deactivated and the water pressure in diaphragm chambers 96 is reduced by discharge of the water therein through the orifice 83 in the restrictor 82 so that the diaphragms return to their central positions and the valve plungers are once again seated on the valve seats 122. At this time, the water remaining in the evaporator chamber 14 flows by gravity through the line 58, the line 62, through the valve means 64, and the line 66 to the sump 18 to provide a fresh supply of water for the next freezing cycle as hereinbefore described. Although the water was originally at an elevated temperature when it entered the evaporator chamber, the temperature will be substantially lowered during release of the ice cubes and the water will be cool when subsequently delivered to the sump 18. It should be understood that in arranging the apparatus of the present circulating system within the ice cube vending machine cabinet, the tank 46 is mounted at a higher elevation than the evaporator chamber 14, and the sump 18 is mounted at a lower elevation than either the tank 46 or the evaporator chamber 14.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGURE 3 wherein the number of parts required for the system is further minimized by eliminating one of the valve means, such as 54. In this system, heated water is delivered from a pressurized tank 46 which is connected directly to the inlet water line 40. The heated water is carried to the evaporator chamber 14, through a line 250, the solenoid control valve 72, a coupling element 274, flow restrictor means 282, and a line 284. A central passage 276 is provided in the connecting element and a cross passage 278 communicates with the control chamber 102 of the valve means 264. A line 266 connects the sump 18 to the valve means at 184 and a line 258 connects the evaporator chamber 14 to the valve means at 280. A drain line 268 is connected to the valve means at 182.

When the solenoid valve 72 is actuated, as shown in FIGURE 3, heated water flows from the pressure tank 46 through line 250. The water fills the diaphragm control chamber 102 and the pressure build-up created by the restrictor 282 actuates the diaphragm upwardly to move the valve plunger 130 outwardly against the bias of the compression spring 166. The drain passage 268 is thereby Aconnected to the sump line 266 through valve bores 118, 120. The diaphragm simultaneously seals inlet passage 196 and the end of bore 120. Consequently, excess water in the sump 18 drains through the drain line 268. Simultaneously, the heated water in tank 46 passes through the supply lines 250, 276 and 284 to the evaporator chamber 14 at 297 and heats the outer surfaces of the ice cube cups to release the formed ice cubes. The evaporator chamber drain passage 258 which is provided to carry water from the evaporator chamber to the sump is closed by the diaphragm. When the solenoid valve 72 is deactivated to close the line 250, the diaphragm 98 returns to its central position and water ows from the evaporator chamber 14 through the line 258, the bore 120 of valve means 264 and the supply line 266 to the sump 18.

A water circulation system has thus been provided for the manufacture of ice cubes having a freezing cycle and a harvesting cycle wherein the water is sprayed into refn'gerated ice cube forming cups in one instance and wherein heated water is applied over the outer surfaces of the cups to release the formed ice cubes in another instance. The water utilized in forming the ice cubes is cyclically replenished by a fresh supply. Since a given quantity of water is used for the dual purposes of releasing the ice cubes and replenishing the supply of spray water, a minimum amount of water is wasted and the number of supply lines and control valves required are minimized. The whole system is controlled in effect by the simple on-off operation of the solenoid valve 72. The control valve means 54, 64 and 264 are directly and positively responsive to the existence of water line pressure controlled by the solenoid valve 72 and effect positive and precise control of ow through the various water lines in the system. It should be readily appreciated that the system is comparatively quiet in operation and that a minimum of maintenance and repair is required.

The described modifications, and other variations in the construction and arrangement of the parts which embody the inventive principles hereinbefore disclosed, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a water circulation system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of Water, an inlet tank for storing water from said source, heating means to heat water stored in said inlet tank, cup means for forming ice cubes, refrigerating means to freeze water in said cup means, pump means to deliver water to said cup means for freezing therein to manufacture ice cubes, sump means to hold a quantity of water to be delivered to said cup means by said pump means, release water tank means surrounding said cup means for holding a quantity of heated water in contact with the outer surfaces of said cup means, heated water delivery means to deliver heated water from said inlet tank to said release water tank means to heat said cup means and release ice cubes formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of water remaining in said sump means after ice cubes have been formed in said cup means, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated Water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice cubes in said cup means have been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said cup means during the next formation of ice cubes, flow control means controllably associated with said heated water delivery means, said drainage means, and said sump replenishing means to control the ow of water in said system in a predetermined sequence, pressure responsive actuating means for actuating said ow control means and being connected to said source and operable by water pressure to actuate said flow control means, and means to vary the water pressure acting on said pressure responsive means.

2. In apparatus for controlling ow of water through multiple flow paths, in an ice manufacturing system, an inlet water line in said system, a diaphragm housing, a flexible diaphragm mounted in said housing for movement therein from a normal position to a distended position, said diaphragm dividing said housing into two chainbers and closing said chambers from one another, a coutrol port connecting one of said chambers to said inlet water line to deliver diaphragm controlling water thereto, water pressure Varying means in said inlet water line to vary the water pressure in said one of said chambers and displace said fexible diaphragm between said normal position and said distended position, a plurality of controlled water ports communicating with the other of said chambers, valve means controllably associated with said controlled water ports to control communication between said controlled water ports, and said valve means being operably associated with said diaphragm whereby movement of said diaphragm in response to changes in pressure of the controlling water in said one of said chambers cau-ses corresponding displacement of said valve means to control water flow through said controlled water ports.

3. In a valve arrangement for controlling fluid flow in a plurality of fluid passages in response to the presence or absence of fluid pressure in a control passage and comprising; at least three fluid passages, flow passage means connecting said three fluid passages, restrictor means to create a pressure build-up in said control passage, a diaphragm means movably responsive to pressure changes in said control passage, valve means to connect one of said uid passages alternately to the other of said fluid passages, said valve means being actuated in response to movement of said diaphragm means, said ow passage means comprising a central passage portion of reduced diameter connecting enlarged end passage portions, one of said end passage portions communicating directly with said diaphragm means, a valve seat surface connecting the other of said end passage portions to said central passage portion, said valve means comprising a plunger member slideably received within said flow passage means, said plunger having a pair of head portions separated by a reduced center portion of smaller cross section than said central passage portion of said ow passage means, one of said head portions having a surface adapted to provide `a seal with said valve seat surface to close off said `other of said end passage portions, the other of said head portions being cooperable with said diaphragm means to close off said one of said end passage portions, and one of said fluid passages intersecting said central passage portion and the other of said fluid passages intersecting said enlarged passage portions whereby flow may be alternately established between said one of said uid passages and one or the other of said other of said uid passages.

4. An ice cube making fluid control system for use in ice cube making machinery including a source of inlet Water, means to heat said inlet water, a refrigerating system, ice cube forming receptacles, a water reservoir surrounding said receptacles, a pump for delivering water to said ice cube forming receptacles, a water reservoir for said pump, and drain means to remove water from said system, said uid control system comprising: water inlet passage means, an on-oi type inlet Water control valve associated with said water inlet passage means for controlling ow of water therethrough, first passage means connected to said inlet passage means at one end and communicating at the other end with said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube receptacles, system controlling valve means located downstream of said inlet water control valve and being associated with said rst passage means, said system controlling valve means being responsive to said first passage means, a second passage means connecting said water reservoir for said pump and said drain means, third passage means connecting said water reservoir for said pump and said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming receptacles, said system controlling valve means being controllably connected to each of said second and third passage means, said system controlling valve means being adapted to alternately direct ow of water through said second passage means from said Water reservoir for said pump to said drain means or through said third passage means from said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming receptacles to said water reservoir for said pump depending on the condition of said inlet water control valve, the pressure of inlet water downstream of said inlet passage control valve in said first passage means when said inlet water control valve is open being adapted to -actuate said system controlling valve means and connect said water reservoir for said pump means to said drain means while heated inlet water iiows through said first passage means to said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming receptacles to release ice cubes formed in said receptacles, and the absence of pressure of inlet Water downstream of said inlet water control in the closed position thereof being operable to actuate said system controlling valve means to a position connecting said Water reservoir surrounding said ice cube receptacles with said water reservoir for said pump whereby water accumulated in said water 8 reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming receptacles flows to said water reservoir for said pump to replenish the water previously delivered to said drain means.

5. In an ice cube manufacturing device having ice cube forming means, a water supply system comprising: a source of water, means to heat inlet water from said source, a water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming means, an on-off control valve to control flow of heated inlet water from said source through a passage to said Water reservoir in the on position, pump means for pumping Water to said ice cube forming means, an inlet Water pipe connecting said source of water to said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming means, an inlet Water pressure responsive valve means connected to said inlet water pipe, a pump line extending from said water pressure responsive valve means to said pump means, a drain line extending from said valve means to a drain, a water supply line extending from said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming means to said valve means, said water pressure responsive valve means being operable in the on position of said control valve whereat heated water ows to said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming means to close said water supply line extending from said water reservoir to said valve means and to connect said pump line to said drain line, and said valve means being further operable in response to the olf position of said control valve to close said drain line and to connect said water supply line to said pump line to permit water to ow from said water reservoir surrounding said ice cube forming means to said pump means for delivery to said ice cube forming means.

6. A water system for controlling the supply of water to ice cube manufacturing apparatus including an evaporator chamber, a spray chamber, a pump sump, refrigeration compressor means, and condenser coil means; the invention comprising a tank for storing a quantity of water, said condenser coils being associated with said tank to heat the water therein, an inlet line leading from said tank to said system, control valve means to control the ow of water from said tank to said system, a first line connecting said inlet line to said evaporator chamber, a second line connecting said evaporator chamber to said control valve means, a third line connecting said sump to said control valve means, a fourth line connecting said control valve means to drain means, and pressure responsive means connected to said inlet line and `operable by pressure in said line for actuating said control valve means to one position to open said rst line to admit heated water to said evaporator chamber and to close said second line to prevent flow of water from said evaporator lchamber to said valve means and to open said third line to said fourth line to permit flow of water from said pump sump to said drain means, and for actuating said control valve means to another position to close said first line to prevent flow of heated water to said evaporator chamber and to open said second line and connect said third line thereto to permit flow of water from said evaporator chamber to said pump sump and to close said fourth line to prevent flow to said drain means.

7. In a water circulation system having multiple flow paths and associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of water, an inlet tank for storing water from said source, heating means to heat water stored in said inlet tank, ice forming means for forming ice cubes, refrigerating means to freeze water in said ice forming means, pump means to deliver water to said ice forming means for freezing therein to manufacture ice cubes, sump means to store a quantity of water to be delivered to said ice forming means by said pump means, release water tank means surrounding said ice forming means for holding a quantity of heated water in heat transfer relationship with said ice forming means, heated water delivery means to deliver heated water from said inlet tank to said release water tank means to heat said ice forming means and release ice cubes formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of Water remaining in said sump means after ice cubes have been formed in said ice forming means, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice cubes in said ice forming means have been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said ice forming means during the next formation of ice cubes, flow control means controllably associated with said heated Water delivery means, said drainage means, and said sump replenishing means to control the ow of Water in said system in a predetermined sequence, said flow control means comprising; a diaphragm housing, a iiexible diaphragm mounted in said housing for movement therein under pressure from a normal position to a distended position, said diaphragm dividing said housing into two chambers, a control port connected to one of said chambers to deliver diaphragm controlling water under pressure thereto, a plurality of controlled water ports communicating with the other of said chambers, water passage means connecting said drainage means and said sump replenishing means and said sump means to said controlled water ports, valve means controllably associated with said controlled water ports to control passage of Water between said controlled water ports, and said valve means being operably associated with said diaphragm whereby movement of said diaphragm in response to changes in Water pressure in said one of said chambers causes corresponding displacement of said valve means to control water flow through said controlled water ports.

8. In a water circulation system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of water, an inlet tank for storing Water from said source, heating means to heat Water stored in said inlet tank, cup means for forming ice cubes, refrigerating means to freeze water in said cup means, pump means to deliver Water to said cup means for freezing therein to manufacture ice cubes, sump means to store a quantity of water to be delivered to said cup means by said pump means, release water tank means surrounding said cup means for holding a quantity of heated water in heat transfer relationship with said cup means, heated Water delivery means to deliver heated Water from said inlet tank to Said release water tank means to heat said cup means and release ice cubes formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of water remaining in said sump means after ice cubes have been formed in said cup means, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice cubes in said cup means have been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said cup means during the next formation of ice cubes, ilow control means controllably associated with said heated Water delivery means, said drainage means, and said sump replenishing means to Control the ow of water in said system in a predetermined sequence, said flow control means comprising; a source of fluid under pressure in a line, solenoid means to control ow of said uid through said line, a diaphragm housing, passage means connecting said diaphragm housing to said line downstream of said control means, restrictor means located downstream of said passage means to create a pressure build-up therein, a diaphragm mounted in said diaphragm housing for movement between a normal and a distended position in response to pressure build-up of said fluid, a valve housing having a passage connected to said diaphragm housing on the side of said diaphragm opposite the connection of said passage means thereto, movable valve means carried in said passage of said valve housing, said diaphragm being controllably associated with said valve means to cause displacement thereof during movement of said diaphragm between said positions, a plurality of flow ports connected to said passage of said valve housing at axially spaced intervals therealong, water passage means connecting said drainage means and said sump replenishing means and said sump means to said ow ports, and said movable valve means having means to alternately close and open said ow ports during displacement thereof.

9. In a Water circulation system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of water, an inlet tank for storing water from said source, heating means to heat water stored in said inlet tank, cup means for forming ice cubes, refrigerating means to freeze water in said cup means, pump means to deliver water to said cup means for freezing therein to manufacture ice cubes, sump means to hold a quantity of Water to be delivered to said cup means by said pump means, release water tank means surrounding said cup means for holding a quantity of heated water in contact with the outer surfaces of said cup means, heated Water delivery means to deliver heated water from said inlet tank to said release Water tank means to heat said cup means and release ice cubes formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of Water remaining in said sump means after ice cubes have been formed in said cup means, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated Water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice cubes in said cup means have been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said cup means during the next formation of ice cubes, ow control means controllably associated with said heated water delivery means, said drainage means, and said sump yreplenishing means to control the oW of Water in said system in a predetermined sequence in response to the presence or absence of flow of fluid in a control passage, a plurality of fluid passages connecting said drainage means and said sump replenishing means and said sump means to said flow control means, oW passage means in said flow-control means connecting said fluid passages, restrictor means to create a pressure build-up in said control passage, a diaphragm means mova-bly responsive to pressure build-up in said control pasage, valve means to connect one of said uid passages alternately to the other of said fluid passages, said valve means being actuated in response to movement of said diaphragm means, said ow passage means comprising a central passage portion of reduced diameter connecting enlarged end passage portions, one of said end passage portions communicating directly With said diaphragm means, a valve seat surface connecting the other of said end passage portions to said central passage portion, said valve means comprising a plunger member slidelably received within said flow passage means, said plunger having a pair of head portions separated Iby a reduced Vcenter portion of smaller cross section than said central passage portion of said flow passage means, one of said head portions having a surface adapted to provide a seal With said valve seat surface to close off said other of said end passage portions, the other of said head portions being cooperable with said diaphragm means to close off said one of said end passage portions, and one of said uid passages intersecting said central passage portion and the other of said uid passages intersecting said enlarged passage portions whereby flow may be alternately established between said one of said fluid passages and one or the other of said other of said uid passages.

10. In a Water circulating system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a plurality of water passages connected to a plurality of water utilization points in said Water circulating system, flow control means connected in said water passages to control the flow of Water in said system in a predetermined sequence, said flow control means comprising a source of fluid under pressure in a line, control means to control flow of said fluid through said line, a diaphragm housing, passage means connecting said diaphragm housing to said line downstream of said control means, restrictor means 1ocated downstream of said passage means to create a pressure buildup therein, a diaphragm mounted in said diaphragm housing for movement between a normal and a distended position in response to pressure buildup of said fluid, a valve housing having a passage connected to said diaphragm housing on the side of said diaphragm opposite the connection of said passage means thereto, movable valve means in said passage of said valve housing, said diaphragm being controllably associated with said valve means to cause displacement thereof during movement of said diaphragm between said positions, a plurality of flow ports connected to said water passages and connected to said passage of said valve housing, and said movable valve means being movable to alternately close and open said ow ports to direct flow of Water between said flow ports from certain ones of said water passages to other ones of said water passages.

11. In a Water circulating system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a plurality of water passages connected to various parts in said water circulating system, flow control means connected to said water passages to control the flow of Water in said system in a predetermined sequence in response to the presence or absence of pressure in a control passage, said ow control means comprising at least three water passages, iiow passage means connecting said three water passages, restrictor means to create a pressure buildup in said control passage, a diaphragm means movably responsive to pressure buildup in said control passage, valve means to connect one of said water passages alternately to the other of said water passages, said valve means being actuated in response to movement of said diaphragm means, said ow passage means comprising a central passage portion of reduced diameter connecting an enlarged end passage portion, one of said end passage portions connected directly with said diaphragm means, a valve seat surface connecting the other of said end passage portions to said central passage portion, said valve means comprising a plunger member slidably received within said ow passage means, said plunger having a pair of head portions separated by a reduced center portion of smaller cross section than said central passage portion of said flow passage means, one of said head portions having a surface adapted to provide a seal with said valve seat surface to close off said other of said end passage portions, the other of said head portions being cooperable with said diaphragm means to close off said one of said end passage portions, and one of said water passages intersecting said central passage portion and the other of said water passages intersecting said enlarged passage portions whereby flow may be alternately established between said one of said water passages and one or the other of said other of said Water passages.

12. In a water circulating system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, water passage means interconnected in said water circulating system to deliver and remove water from various parts of said system, ow control means interconnecting certain of said water passage means to control the iiow of water in said system in a predetermined sequence, said ow control means comprising: a diaphragm housing, a flexible diaphragm mounted in said housing for movement therein under pressure from a normal position to a distended position, said diaphragm dividing said housing into two separate chambers closed from one another, a control port connecting one of said chambers to a source of water under pressure to deliver diaphragm controlling water under pressure thereto, a plurality of controlled water passage ports connected to the certain ones of said water passage means and communicating with the other of said chambers, valve means controllably associated with said controlled water passage ports to control passage of water between said controlled water passage ports, and said valve means being operably associated with said diaphragm where-by movement of said diaphragm in response to changes in water pressure in said one of said chambers causes corresponding displacement of said valve means to control water ow through said control water passage ports.

13. In a water circulating system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of water, heated water delivery means to deliver heated water to release ice cubes formed by said apparatus, drainage means to drain and dispose of excess water following the formation of ice cubes by said apparatus, replenishing means to deliver the heated water after the ice cubes are released to provide a fresh supply of water for the next formation of ice cubes, ilow control means controllably associated with said heated water delivery means, said drainage means, and said replenishing means to control the ow of water in said system in a predetermined sequence, pressure responsive actuating means for said flow control means connected to said source and operable by water pressure to actuate said ow control means, and means to vary the water pressure acting on said pressure responsive actuating means.

14. In a water circulation system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of water, an inlet tank for storing water from said source, heating means to heat water stored in said inlet tank, ice forming means, refrigeration means to freeze water in said ice forming means, pump means to deliver Water to said ice forming means for freezing therein to manufacture ice, sump means to hold a quantity of water to be delivered to said ice forming means lby said pump means, ice release water tank means for holding a quantity of heated water in heat transfer relationship with said ice forming means, heated water delivery means to deliver heated water from said inlet tank to said release water tank means to heat said ice forming means and release ice formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of water remaining in said sump means after ice has been formed, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice has been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said ice forming means during the next ice forming cycle, an inlet water line connected to said inlet tank, solenoid actuated valve means controlling flow of water through said inlet water line, passage means connecting said heated Water delivery means and said drainage means and said sump replenishing means, flow control means in said passage means and being connected to said inlet water line downstream of said solenoid actuated valve means, restrictor means located in said inlet water line downstream of said ow control means to create a pressure build-up, and pressure responsive means associated with said ow control means to actuate said flow control means between varying positions to obtain varying flow cycles in said heated water delivery means and said drainage means and said sump replenishing means in response to the presence or absence of water pressure in said inlet water line downstream of said solenoid actuated valve means.

15. In a water circulation system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of water, an inlet tank for storing water from said source, heating means to heat water stored in said inlet tank, ice forming means, refrigeration means to freeze water in said ice forming means, pump means to deliver Water to said ice forming means for freezing therein to manufacture ice, sump means to hold a quantity of water to be delivered to said ice forming means by said pump means, ice release water tank means for holding a quantity of heated Water in heat transfer relationship with said ice forming means, heated Water delivery means to deliver heated Water from said inlet tank to said release Water tank means to heat said ice forming means and release ice formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of water remaining in said sump means after ice has been formed, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice has been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said ice forming means during the next ice forming cycle, an inlet water line connected to said inlet tank, solenoid actuated valve means controlling flow of Water through said inlet water line, dow control means mounted downstream of said solenoid actuated valve means, valve plunger means in said ow control means movable between spaced positions and connecting said sump replenishing means with said drainage means in one spaced position and connecting said sump means to said sump replenishing means in another spaced position, pressure responsive diaphragm means associated with said iiow control means and being movable between a normal position and a distended position in response to water pressure downstream of said solenoid actuated valve means to actuate said valve plunger means between the spaced positions to obtain varying ow cycles in said heated water delivery means and said drainage means and said sump replenishing means, control chamber means connected to said inlet Water line downstream of said solenoid actuated valve means and being defined in part by said diaphragm means, spring means to maintain said valve plunger means in the one spaced position, and said diaphragm means being effective to move said valve plunger means to the other spaced position and simultaneously effect a seal between said drainage means and said sump replenishing means.

'16. In a water circulation system associated with apparatus for manufacturing ice cubes, a source of Water, an inlet tank for storing water from said source, heating means to heat water stored in said inlet tank, ice forming means, refrigeration means to freeze water in said ice forming means, pump means to deliver water to said ice forming means for freezing therein to manufacture ice, sump means to hold a quantity of water to be delivered to said ice forming means by said .pump means, ice release water tank means for holding a quantity of heated Water in heat transfer relationship with said ice forming means, heated water delivery means to deliver heated water from said inlet tank to said release water tank means to heat said ice forming means and release ice formed therein, drainage means to drain and dispose of water remaining in said sump means after ice has been formed, sump replenishing means to deliver the heated water from said tank means to said sump means after the ice has been released and after said sump means has been drained to provide a fresh supply of water for delivery to said ice forming means during the next ice forming cycle, an inlet water line connected to said inlet tank, solenoid actuated stop valve means mounted in said inlet line to alternately stop ow of water therethrough or permit full flow therethrough, connector tube means connected to said stop valve means downstream thereof and having passage means forming a continuation of said inlet line, transverse passage means extending from said passage means within said connector tube means, shell means connected to said connector tube means and defining a cavity in communication with said transverse passage means, diaphragm means separating said cavity into a flow chamber and a control chamber, said control chamber 4being connected to said transverse passage means, restrictor means to retard flow of Water in said passage means and fill said control chamber with water under pressure and cause dstention 0f said diaphragm means, valve bore body means connected to said flow chamber opposite said diaphragm means and having valve bore meansl provided therein, valve plunger means reciprocably mounted in said valve bore means, said valve plunger means being provided with portions adapted to alternately open and close portions of said valve bore means, said valve plunger means being connected to said diaphragm means for movement thereby in response to water pressure in said control chamber to close one portion of said valve bore and open another portion thereof, spring means associated with said valve plunger means to move said valve plunger means in a direction opposite to the movement caused iby said diaphragm means and to normally maintain said valve plunger means in a position closing the other portion of said valve bore means, said drainage means being connected to said valve bore means and having ow thereto being controlled by said valve plunger means, said sump replenishing means being connected to said flow chamber and ow therefrom through said ow chamber being controlled by said valve plunger means, and means communicating with said sump means being connected to said valve bore means for alternate connection to said drainage means and said sump replenishing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 172,492 1/ 1876 Prall 251-61 X 1,802,324 11/ 1927 Bartlett 137-620 X 2,218,861 9/1939 Stumpf 137-625 X 2,493,449 9/ 1947 Fitch 251-61 X 2,739,454 3/ 1956 Noakes 62-347 2,949,019 8/ 1960 Roberts 62-140 3,048,988 8/ 1962 Nelson 62-347 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. MEYER PERLIN, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,218,824 November 23, 1965 Kenneth L. Nelson It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 5, for "and" read at column 7, line 48, after "to" insert the presence or absence of water pressure downstream of said inlet water control valve as determined by the condition of said inlet valve in column l4, line 22, for "to" read with Signed and sealed this llth day of October 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD I. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

13. IN A WATER CIRCULATING SYSTEM ASSOCIATED WITH APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING ICE CUBES, A SOURCE OF WATER, HEATED WATER DELIVERY MEANS TO DELIVER HEATED WATER TO RELEASE ICE CUBES FORMED BY SAID APPARAUS, DRAINAGE MEANS TO DRAIN AND DISPOSED OF EXCESS WATER FOLLOWING THE FORMATION OF ICE CUBES BY SAID APPARATUS, REPLENISHING MEANS TO DELIVER THE HEATED WATER AFTER THE ICE CUBES ARE RELEASED TO PROVIDE A FRESH SUPPLY OF WATER FOR THE NEXT FORMATION OF ICE CUBES, FLOW CONTROL MEANS CONTROLLABLY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID HEATED WATER DELIVERY MEANS, SAID DRAINAGE MEANS, AND SAID REPLENISHING MEANS TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF WATER IN SAID SYSTEM IN A PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE, PRESSURE RESPONSIVE ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID FLOW CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SORUCE AND 